Do you know that my grandfather was entitled to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple?

Chapter 64 Speculation

If everything had gone according to plan, Sheng Changfeng and Gu Tingye, for some unknown reason, had made a bet while playing pitch-pot and almost lost Hua Lan's betrothal gifts.

This incident may have been caused by Gu Tingye deliberately provoking Sheng Changfeng.

But after careful consideration, Wang You felt that there was something wrong with it.

Although Gu Tingye did not reveal his identity at that time, Sheng Changfeng did not know that Gu Tingye was the second son of the Marquis of Ningyuan.

However, one thing is certain: Gu Tingye came with the Yuan family, and he was not a servant or attendant.

On the day the Yuan family came to propose marriage, the Yuan family members were the most honored guests of the day.

Gu Tingye couldn't just approach Sheng Changfeng directly, provoke him with words, and then propose to wager the betrothal gifts.

Doing this is not only foolish, but it can also easily arouse the other party's suspicion.

Clearly, the two had already had a disagreement before using the betrothal gifts as a wager. Gu Tingye's slight provocation led Sheng Changfeng to propose using the betrothal gifts as a wager.

So here's the question: Sheng Changfeng isn't stupid, so how could he not know that Gu Tingye is a distinguished guest of the Sheng family?

Even if Gu Tingye deliberately picks a fight, he will definitely make some concessions at first.

Even if Gu Tingye was aggressive, he wouldn't have driven Sheng Changfeng to the point of gambling with his betrothal gifts.

Moreover, does Sheng Changfeng not know the consequences of gambling with betrothal gifts?

Seeing Sheng Changfeng acting all familiar, Wang You suspected that Lin Xiaoniang might be behind it.

It's not a Wang You conspiracy theory; at first glance, it seems unlikely.

Assuming that Sheng Changfeng really loses the betrothal gifts and causes the Sheng family to lose face completely, no matter how much Sheng Hong dotes on Lin Xiaoniang and Sheng Changfeng, the fate of the mother and son will not be much better.

Lin Xiaoniang wasn't stupid; there was no reason for her to do that.

However, all of this is predicated on the premise that Gu Tingye, this "relative of the Yuan family," dares to win the betrothal gifts.

Lin Xiaoniang didn't have the ability to predict the future. At that time, Gu Tingye's identity hadn't even been exposed, so people thought he was just a relative of the Yuan family.

The betrothal was a matter of pride for both the Yuan and Sheng families, so Gu Tingye, a relative of the Yuan family, naturally wouldn't cause trouble.

Moreover, Lin Xiaoniang probably didn't plan that in such detail; she was more likely just instructing Sheng Changfeng to cause trouble for Gu Tingye and find a way to embarrass him.

Out of consideration for the reputation of both families, Gu Tingye naturally held back.

However, Gu Tingye will definitely tell the Yuan family later, which will make the Yuan family dislike the Sheng family, and consequently dislike Hualan as well.

For a newlywed woman, if her in-laws dislike her even before she enters the family, her life after marriage will be very difficult.

Following Lin Xiaoniang's instructions, Sheng Changfeng went to cause trouble for Gu Tingye, who happened to have also agreed to Yuan Wenchun's request to embarrass the Sheng family.

Under the guidance of the authorities, it eventually escalated to the point where the bride price was used as a form of gambling.

Otherwise, how can we explain Sheng Changfeng's initiative to come to us at this time, appearing extremely enthusiastic?

Wasn't it because Yuan Wenchun introduced Gu Tingye's identity that Lin Xiaoniang changed her strategy and instructed Sheng Changfeng to befriend Gu Tingye?

Previously, Sheng Changfeng was also in the main hall, standing next to Sheng Hong along with Sheng Changbai and Wang You.

Sheng Hong had Sheng Changbai entertain Gu Tingye while he himself came out, something Sheng Changfeng had all seen.

If Sheng Changfeng had intended to befriend Gu Tingye, he should have come out just now.

"I…"

Gu Tingye was about to refuse when Wang You smiled and said, "Zhonghuai, let's go have some fun together."

"Since Ziqian is in the mood, let's go have some fun."

When Wang You spoke up, Gu Tingye couldn't very well refuse.

Sheng Changbai had no interest in these matters, and seeing that Gu Tingye had already agreed, he didn't say anything.

"Second brother, cousin, this way please, Young Master Gu." Sheng Changfeng smiled and stepped forward to lead the way.

The four arrived at the outer courtyard, where Sheng Changfeng had someone bring the pitch-pot equipment.

"Young Master Gu, shall we play a game first?" Sheng Changfeng invited with a smile.

"Okay." Gu Tingye nodded.

"I wonder if the rules are the same in Yangzhou and Bianjing. Let me tell you about the rules in Yangzhou."

Sheng Changfeng briefly explained the rules. The rules for pitch-pot vary slightly from place to place. Gu Tingye listened and felt that the differences were not significant, so he nodded to indicate that he understood.

"Young Master Gu, please make the first move," Sheng Changfeng said modestly.

Gu Tingye did not refuse upon hearing this, drew an arrow, and casually threw it.

"Whoosh~"

The arrow flew through the air and landed precisely in the mouth of the pot, but instead of hitting the bottom, it leaned against the mouth and got stuck.

"Follow the pole!"

The commotion attracted a crowd of onlookers, and some people exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the scene.

The term "yigan" is a term used in the game of pitch-pot, referring to the arrow entering the pot but not falling to the bottom, instead being stuck at an angle at the mouth of the pot.

It sounds simple, but it's actually very difficult, and many people even call it luck.

Because the force required is very strictly controlled, if the force is too strong, the arrow may bounce off directly.

If the force is too weak, not only will it not be able to stop the arrow, but the arrow won't even be able to enter the pot.

Wang You also knew how to play pitch-pot, after all, it was one of the most common forms of entertainment in that era.

Normally, you can throw the ball even when you're alone in the house.

It is precisely because I know how that I do it that I understand how difficult it is.

However, he was not surprised. Gu Tingye was known as the number one playboy in Bianjing. In games like pitch-pot and polo, no one in the younger generation of Bianjing could rival him.

Sheng Changfeng gave a thumbs up and said, "Young Master Gu is amazing. He makes me feel ashamed to even try."

"Sanlang is joking. It's just a casual game, no need to take it seriously," Gu Tingye said.

He's heard this kind of flattery so much that it hardly makes him react.

"Then I'll make a fool of myself." Sheng Changfeng bowed respectfully, picked up an arrow, aimed for a moment, and then threw it.

Although the shot went in, it only earned the base score.

Moreover, compared to Gu Tingye's nonchalant attitude when playing the pitch-pot game, the difference in skill is immediately apparent.

Next, Gu Tingye and Sheng Changfeng started throwing back and forth. Every time Gu Tingye finished throwing, Sheng Changfeng would say a few words of flattery, his intention to curry favor was obvious.

Although Gu Tingye deliberately tried to let him win, he still won by a margin of thirty points.

He clapped his hands, clearly bored, and looked at Wang You and Sheng Changbai, saying, "Zecheng, Ziqian, let's..."

"Second brother!"

Just then, a female voice came from behind. Gu Tingye looked in the direction of the voice and saw a little girl of three or four years old and a little girl of seven or eight years old walking towards him hand in hand.

A little girl, about three or four years old, was waving at them.

"younger sister."

Wang You quickly went to greet him: "How was it? Did you have fun?"

"Um."

Mu Jie'er nodded and whispered, "Minglan and I are playing eagle catching chicks. Xiao Tao is too clumsy; she's always the first one to get caught."

"yes."

Wang You patted his younger sister's head and whispered, "But you can't talk about others like that, otherwise they won't play with you anymore."

"I know."

Mu Jie'er nodded and said with a grin, "I only told my second brother."

"Sister Mu is so good."

Wang You smiled and looked at Minglan, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Sixth Sister."

Today is a joyous occasion for the Sheng family, and even the servants have changed into new clothes.

Several of the brothers and sisters also dressed up in their finest attire.

Minglan wore a white dress embroidered with pink peach blossoms, and her round face was quite adorable.